Bruno Berner has confirmed his retirement from professional football after his Leicester City contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
Defender offers thanks to Leicester and Pearson also pays tribute
Swiss defender Bruno Berner has confirmed his retirement from professional football after his Leicester City contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
Berner made 98 appearances for Leicester following his arrival in 2008, but had not featured for the first team this season.
Foxes boss Nigel Pearson revealed before Christmas that talks were taking place to cancel Berner's contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season.
An agreement has now been reached and the 34-year-old has decided to announce his retirement from playing in the professional ranks.
Dream
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody involved with Leicester City Football Club for their support over the past three-and-a-half years, during which time I enjoyed a lot of personal highlights," Berner told the club's
official website.
"As a player, I dreamt of playing professional football in this country and the chance to play for Leicester City provided me with the opportunity to prove myself in the English game.
"I have made the decision to retire from playing professional football and am now looking forward to commencing the next chapter of my life."
Pearson, who signed Berner during his first spell as manager of Leicester, paid tribute to the stopper following his decision to quit.
"I've got an awful lot of time for Bruno, he's been a great servant for the club and we wish him every success in the future," said Pearson.
"I think it's important that we recognise that he has been a very positive influence at our football club.
"There comes a time for every player to call it a day, but Bruno is a bright man and a very good man, so we wish him all the best."
